SPRINGFIELD –The pandemic has been devastating to many small businesses, but two Springfield businesses have survived thanks to loyal customers.

Much more than just surviving 2020, both Voluminosity by Jeanie, a hair salon in Indian Orchard and Buckeye Brothers’ Smoke Shop are celebrating anniversaries this year – 25 for the salon and 30 for the tobacco shop.

Jeanie Miller Smith, owner of the salon at 533 Main St., Indian Orchard, explained to Reminder Publishing that she has tried to keep in touch with her customers through the pandemic, making sure they doing well.

“When we had the shutdown, I kept in touch with everyone, It helped me get through it,” she said.

What also helped her was receiving COVID assistance funds from the government, she added.

She has been in business the last 27 years with 25 of those in the same location.  Her salon features the usual including color and highlight services, plus balayage, a hair coloring technique.

Her services have been highly rated by customers online and she has earned the maximum five stars on Google ratings. One client wrote, “Jeanie is fantastic – she actually listens to your thoughts and ideas and isn’t afraid to let you know if something is not going to work. She always finds a way to make your hair look its absolute best! She’s a true gem!”

Her reputation has attracted regular customers from Berkshire County as well as from Boston and throughout the region, she noted.

Since being allowed to reopen, Miller Smith has followed the health and safety guidelines provided by the state and explained that she only has one customer in her shop at a time and sanitizes the area in-between appointments.

“I’m feeling better about 2021,” Miller Smith said.

At 974 Main St. in the city’s South End neighborhood, David Glantz is celebrating this year his 30th anniversary at Buckeye Bros. Smoke Shop and Harry’s Caffe. The small shop specializes in tobacco, lottery products and fresh coffee drinks.

Glantz said that he and his brother Paul started the business at 904 Main Street and moved to this location about 17 years ago. Initially, magazines and newspapers were part of the offerings, but Glantz said he eventually eliminated those items.

“I tweaked the business along the way,” he said. “Times change.”

 His location is merely steps away from MGM Springfield and he said the additions of the casino as well as the CVS pharmacy across the street have helped his business, especially since pharmacies stopped carrying tobacco products.

“MGM has absolutely been a plus,” Glantz said of the casino’s impact on his business and others in the South End. He believes the opening of Wahlburgers will also help the neighborhood.

His response to the pandemic has included changing his hours and making sure the capacity in his small shop isn’t exceeded. Hang out in his shop even for a few minutes and one will see a steady stream of customers, many of whom Glantz knows.

Glantz has also been helped by government loan programs during the pandemic.

The name Buckeye Brothers refers to Glantz and his brother and when they moved to the current address, they added coffee service which they named after their father.

For Glantz, the secret of getting through the pandemic has been his many loyal customers and he said he is thankful for their support.